Cowl Girls Review and Yarn Giveaway!

UPDATE: Our friends at Soho Publishing caught wind of our giveaway and have offered 10 copies of Cowl Girls to give away! That means one First Prize winner will receive the book AND the yarn required to make one of four Classic Elite cowls; and 10 Second Prize winners will each receive a copy of Cowl Girls! Thank you Soho Publishing!!

In our examination of all things giftable and fast, a review of the fabulous Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron seems appropriate (and aren't you lucky you can win a copy in the Winter 2010 issue of Knit Simple!). This is a must-have book for knitters who love portable, fast projects. This richly photographed book of cowls, gaiters, snoods, balaclavas and all things neck-hugging (don't worry, a glossary is included!) is a wealth of patterns in a variety of shapes, sizes, fibers and skill levels. And its chock-full of Classic Elite yarns! I think we have an abundance of rich, soft fibers that translate perfectly to sophisticated accessories, and clearly, Cathy Carron agrees.

And now for the cherry on the sundae, we are holding a giveaway! One lucky commenter will receive the yarn required to make one of these cowls. Just let us know what you're crafting for the holidays by next Tuesday, December 14th, and you can choose between either of the Ariosa cowls, the adorable Sprout striped cowl, or the La Gran stackable cowl. Unfortunately, winners are limited to the United States and Canada. Comment here to win the yarn then head over to Knit Simple to enter to win the book! Don't forget to leave a Ravelry name or other identifier in your comment.

This fun checkerboard print is for the colorwork lover. Knit in 8 different colors of Ariosa, I wonder if it would make a good stash-buster too?

These stackable cowls take 4 hanks of La Gran and are knit in Trinity Stitch, a pattern you would be likely to see in an Aran sweater, translated into soft, lofty mohair.

This striped cowl in Sprout adds tassels for fun, and is an easy beginning colorwork project! The color effect is achieved by knitting stripes in a pattern--the effect reminds me of Charlie Brown's sweater, zigzag stripes!

This striped little gaiter is knit in 2 skeins of each color (in this case, navy and white) of Ariosa. I would love to see it in a crazy combination like navy and red, or pink and green. Why not? With accessories, you can take much bigger risks than you can with a sweater...

Twinkle Soft Chunky is all over the place! Talk about fast, this could probably be knit in an evening, and the super soft roving-style yarn comes in a spectrum of colors from bright to sophisticated. I love how it tucks into your coat!

This sumptuous cowl is knit in Posh, our cashmere and wool blend, with an optional beaded embellishment. For your most disciminating (or sensitive-skinned) friend.

This cowl in Inca Alpaca might take a bit longer to knit, but its worth it. These are three concentric rings cinched together with a ribbon for a flouncy, layered look.

This striped number is a balaclava AND a gaiter in MinnowMerino! A balaclava is a tight hood to keep the cold out, and a gaiter is a snug neck covering designed for the same purpose. The i-cord at the top lets out to cinch it around your neck or pulls in to tighten the top of the hood.

I will have to get the book because this striped number is a balaclava AND a gaiter in MinnowMerino would be something ALL my granddaughters would wear without putting up a fuss!! Fingers are crossed and candles will be glowining.

Since November I've been knitting small projects for my husband and me. Things like hats and fingerless mitts that keeps us warm and take no time to do. This book would be a perfect addition to my library!

I have been knitting cowls, fingerless gloves, socks and scarves for Christmas gifts this year. I have this book on my Wish List that I gave my husband! The stackable cowls look so warm and snuggly, I'd love to win that yarn! :)

I'm crafting as much as possible! a family of earflap hats for a family in Alaska; a family of felted slippers, including baby elf boots; some alligator mittens and more if possible. A cowl would be a terrific, and quick!, addition.Thanks!

My wife and I are both into knitting cowls for men and women and this book would be a great addition to our library. The yarn would be nice too as we live a fair distance from a LYS. I have a cowl idea in my head I can't wait to translate into pattern and knitted format to share!

I am making knitted and crocheted ornaments and knitted bookmarks (with a pattern from More Last-Minute Gifts, in linen-blend yarn, using linen stitch)as gifts for coworkers and others who surprise me with an unexpected Christmas gift.

Just finished knitting a Sweater from Knitty 2009 winter edition - now knitting a beautiful long Sirdar vest for my niece for Christmas...Would love to make a cowl! Thanks for contest and good luck everyone!

I've already made several cowls, and various pairs of fingerless mitts...want to make more cowls! I would love to win the yarn for the stackable cowls; I really want to learn the Trinity stitch and try the mohair yarn.

I have knit four Christmas stockings in the last week alone... I have three more to knit, block and ship to their rightful owners in time for Christmas. I have six hats and a cowl to knit as well - The cowl is going to be insanely beautiful as it is knit out of your Fresco! Wish my addi's were caffeine loaded. :)

I would love ARIOSA!!! If you were giving this away in Lush, I would be in hog heaven. :)

I'm knitting fun scarfs for 2 girls and colorful caps for 2 boys. Also just finished a neckwarmer for a Yankee swap. And for me, on the needles, is a shawl, scarf, and sweater all of which I'm dying to get back to! I just bought Ariosa on Sunday but would be more than happy to get some more. Have been lusting to knit with it!

I'd be thrilled to be the lucky commenter to receive the yarn required to make one of these cowls! I am knitting scarves and mittens for the holidays this year. It would be wonderful to be able to make the La Gran stackable cowl after all the gift knitting! I am ...

I have this book and have already made the "in the snood" pattern for my daughter. I've also made as gifts fingerless gloves and a fair isle hat. I'd love to make "Polo Match" with your lovely Posh yarn.

Rav's knittingloulew: I am finished with the mini-stockings and hat/scarf sets for charity. Now we move forward to Christmas gifts for the nieces and nephews -- fingerless gloves, I think because I'm running short on time. I would love to knit the balaclava/gaiter combo.

I am absolutely in love with cowls and have already added this book to my library. I just finished a cabled capelet, have some socks on the needles and about to start a scarf and hat for my niece to go with her new coat.

Gifts......several cowls, fingerless mitts, thrummed mittens (it is COLD in Minnesota where my family lives), hats and scarves, coffee cup sleeves,socks and a sweater that I must finish for a super special granddaughter's Christmas birthday! Yes, I have been stockpiling for months. I'd love to have the winning entry..more YARN!

I already own the book (!), love the book, and would love to win the yarn for any of your offerings (although High Contrast, Layer Cake, and Zig and Zag are especially calling to me). I've already knitted up the Wrapture and Hidden Treasure patterns from the book and just now finishing up Candy Wrapper. So fast, great gifts, and not hugely expensive.faeriesandpixies on Rav

I'm making my daughter a hooded sweater and pair of socks to match as one of her Christmas gifts. While she's' home on break from college I plan to make some fingerless mitts to layer over fingered gloves. I'm making myself another pair of socks and a cowl.

I've been knitting since the late summer of 2008. I only knit hats and I only give them to cancer patients.

I currently send my hats to four hospitals and to date, I am working on number 373. (I keep track of each hat, the color, pattern and where it goes)

I am always looking for something different to knit, and when I saw the "Balaclava and Gaiter," I just knew that this will be a pattern that I will make for the 2011 winter season. (I will be entering the contest to win the book) It's a pattern that's fun and colorful and one that will be sure to keep the children warm and snuggly.

Last week I mailed 91 hats that consisted of reindeer, jester hats with long braids and pom-poms and a variety of red, green, white and blue hats to the hospitals.

My step-father passed away from Multiple Myeloma in November of 2007, and I knit the hats in his memory. Happy Holidays!

This is the year of the Hand-knitted Cowl, I've completed 4 and need another 5 for Christmas presents. I would love to win the yarn to complete the fun Sprout Cowl, love the tassels and colorwork challenge. The book looks amazing!llmcguire on Ravelry

As a person who lives in a drafty old house trying to keep the heat down to an affordable level of consumption, I think cowls are a fabulous way to stay warm decoratively and not worry about dragging into my cooking!!!!!!

Another awesome giveaway! I'm knitting hats, scarves, socks, and ornaments for Christmas gifts this year. Oh, and thank you for the Love your LYS package - I received the Alpaca Stories book, and LOVE the patterns!

Right now I am working on a crocheted Tux for my 5 mo old grandson, then I have 3 other grands to finish sweaters for, then the sleeves for my youngest daughter's sweater-for spring. I'd love to do the striped cowl with the tassels for my older daughter, she has a more sophisticated style and it would suit her I believe. Thanks for the look-see.

Well, good luck with all of the responses so far..me, I have just starting back clicking away on my dear needles after a several year hiatus, due to depression...so I've already received my gift.That said, I love cowls...last thing I knit was a pink cashmere #, 2 yrs. ago...before they became so popular...The book is a wonderful tasty morsel for us knitters..with all it's colorful pictures..and great patterns... Well, enough of my 'review', I'd love to win one of these items..Presently I'm knitting a prayer shawl for a friend/co-worker, in a hand-painted merino/silk...and a scarf, I designed from the 365day calendar...That's it...Hope I win..Tx FC

Let's see: for my brand new nephew a cotton baby blanket and a fair isle hat; for my goddaughter a bulky brioche stitch convertible scarf; for my mother a worsted-weight Damson shawl and Through the Woods hood.

I can't wait to see this book and love that you are offering the yarn to make one of the patterns. Stackable cowls please, mmm.

Laura B (can't get the comment field to take my e-mail info ahhh!!!!): I started knitting my Christmas gifts in March of this year. So far I have a hobo bag in Noro for mom, Pistons basketball hat for my boss who's recovering from cancer and now in remission!, dishcloths of various designs for mom, and Mason-Dixon kitchen towels that loop over the refrigerator handle. I'm still finishing up a hat for mom to match the scarf I gave her from last Xmas, same for my dad only manly-er :), and a set of hand towels for my dad's newly redone bathroom! I could really use the yarn to restash after all that!! Happy knitting all!laurabartlett9849@comcast.net

I'm knitting the Tanis Grey leaf cable scarf (Vogue Knitting pattern) for my daughter for Christmas. It's working up fast on Rowan Big Wool and #17 needles.Would love to dive into the yarn for one of these cowls when I'm finished with this project.curlyknitter23 on ravelrywww.etsy.com/shop/knitandcurl

Working on mittens and hats, socks, and knitted Christmas trees this year. I am already planning to give Cowl Girls to my knitting niece, so the yarn for a pattern would make a great bonus gift for her!

I have both knitted and crocheted all of my xmas presents this year. I usually start in Jan. and do prjects throughout the year so I have items handy for spur of the moment gifts also. I made shawls, gloves, socks and scarves this year. pgwood@mail.com

I am knitting several bulky scarfs and hats for last minute holiday gifts and would love the checkerboard scarf. It seems like a great opportunity to learn fair isle on a smaller size beautiful project.

These cowls are so beautiful. And the yarn colors are glorious. The balaclava is the cherry on the cake. How many fabulous hours of knitting to present these lovely cowls, as gifts or not, depending on whether one could part with them.

I'm working on a hat and a Clapotis. I don't even want to think about the sweater for my son that he has decided he wants in a different design (a new one every day it seems!). I'd love to make a cowl for myself (for a change).

I do own this book and have already made the Loop of Luxury for a cold daughter....it turned out gorgeous and the pattern was easy to follow. I'd knit another cowl (private pattern from my LYS), which spurred me to get the cowlgirls book. And now I have plans for a couple other cowls, notably the World's Fair, and would love to use Ariosa yarn for it... it's already cold here in Minnesota!

Your cowls look all very interesting I specially like the stripe one and the stripe Balaclava, both can be done for men or woman! Right now I am knitting one scarf every two days, to be ready for Christman, and I will love to include some cowls in my list. Also thank you very much for all your free patterns!!! Ana

Thanks for the chance to win. I am currently knitting a long sleeved sweater that has cables, and a vest using bulky yarn, so that is nearly finished. I've made knitted and felted slippers already and lots of socks in lots of sizes. Always have more than one project going!

Right now I have on needles: the Every Way Wrap, the Kusha Kusha Scarf in merino and silk wrapped steel yarns, a sweater for my daughter's pooch, Layla.I'd love to have those gorgeous yarns to make the checkerboard scarf, a great combo of color and pattern. -Kathryn (winkm33 on Ravelry)

I'm am trying to finish up a pair of socks for my Mother for a Christmas gift and this has recently taken over all the rest of my knitting. I'm also working on Norah Gaughn's Orange Pop sweater from Twist Collective, knit out of CEY's Princess. I really love this yarn, especially after washing. It is sooo soft yet durable (no pilling yet!). Of course I have several other things on the needles that are background knitting for the winter, depending on time and my preference...

I limit my holiday knitting so as not to drive myself off a cliff. But I'm working on a double-knit scarf for my husband, with a Jolly Roger motif to match a hat I made for him a couple years ago. He thinks I'm ignoring it, because he only sees me working on it every now and then. But I'm actually working on it about an hour every night while he's not home. :D Not sure if I'll actually finish it in time for Christmas, as I have knitting ADD and am also actively working on two other projects, but it'll be cold here till at least March and this isn't his main gift.

Hello fellow knitters. I am currently working on an entrelac scarf to go w/ a hat I just made. This book lQQks wonderful as I am a huge cowl and scarf person. The fingerless mittens are next to have a complete set. Cowls for any season is a girls must for her wardrobe, and I would love to have this book to work from. So, I hope I am the person who is picked for this, it would be fantastic!Janet :-)

I'm new to knitting cowls, have ripped out and started one over 3 times now at 240 cast on stitches in C.E. cashmere. Going to master that pattern yet! I would love the book to get a better idea of other possibilities and for the encouragement!

Oh my..this would be the perfect birthday present for me (my birthday is the 14th) but in all seriousness I have socks on my needles right now and will not allow myself to knit anything else until they are DONE!

Right now I am finishing up a sweater I started for my husband a long time ago! I'm in the final stretch. Also making baby caps for charity. I'd love the yarn for one of the cowls. Frosty weather is coming here soon!

Tough choices! If I were to win, I'd go for the Ariosa or the Posh -- to make the sumptuous cowl or the striped gaiter. What's on my needles? Which set? Multiple projects including a slouchy hat, fetching fingerless mitts, and a marian cowl. Have already finished some fetchings and marians which are quick projects and great for Christmas gifts! sueknitmiller on ravelry

I've already crafted 52 cards with my daughter, 3 scarves for daughter & nieces and am now working on a jumper for my husband based on a sweater he saw in a shop! Phew! It'd be great to win something just for me! :)

At the moment on my needles are a pair of legwarmers for my daughter. I also have to get some coffee cup cozies done by next Tuesday and some coaster sets. Then I have to try to find the time to make a pair of fingerless gloves as well.

I have 4 daughters and they are all receiving a variation of the "wham bam thank lamb cowl" that I found on Ravelry. If you wanna see pics...you can find me as ForMyKnittas on Ravelry. Happy Knitting and Happy Holidays!

I love this book -- we carry it at the LYS where I work and it constantly sells out! I've been knitting cowls, a pair of socks, a beret, and hopefully a pair of mitts for holiday gifts. Great giveaway!